Lingard out of England’s Euro squad despite Greenwood injury

Jesse Lingard is set to be cut from England’s Euro 2020 squad despite Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood pulling out through injury.

Lingard is expected to be a surprise omission when Gareth Gareth Southgate cuts his initial 33-man squad down to 26 players on Tuesday afternoon at 5pm BST.

The 28-year-old scored nine goals on loan at West Ham from United in the second half of the season and returned to Southgate’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers in March.

Greenwood had been expected to make the cut after a superb end to the season with United but the club said the 19-year-old is suffering from “an underlying injury that also kept him out of the Under-21 European Championship in March”.

A United statement added: “Mason’s club appearances were managed carefully to maintain his availability through the intensive 2020/21 Premier League and Europa League schedules.

The #ThreeLions are out for their final training session ahead of tomorrow's meeting with Austria.

20 players are involved, with @Sanchooo10 resting due to a mild throat infection. pic.twitter.com/1w0rEhlA8W

— England (@England) June 1, 2021

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“But a further spell of tournament football would not be beneficial and Mason will remain at Manchester United to recuperate and prepare for pre-season training.”

Greenwood’s withdrawal and the omission of Lingard could benefit Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who was listed in the provisional squad as a forward, despite being able to play at full-back and in midfield.

The fitness of experienced pair Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are the biggest issues for Southgate as he prepares to name his squad after this afternoon’s final training session for tomorrow’s friendly against Austria in Middlesborough.